Tossing back cold ales and cheap tales, a bunch of Pathfinders await their meeting with Drandle Dreng in a low rent tavern in Absalom...
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I wonder who my lads are this time? Gotta find out more about them...
Kaleb takes a swig of ale, and slyly looks around at the others Pathfinders.
"...Overall it was so! While we were waiting for those smugglers from Aspis at the city warehouse, the local merchants (they where somehow connected to Aspis, but not so loyal), with their guards came there too. My lads silently attacked them, thinking that they are the agents of Aspis. I tried to tell 'em - "Hey, maybe it's not them?". But no, why to think using a head! With us was an EXPERIENCED magician. THREE missions for the Pathfinders Society behind. Hah! He decided - and everyone rush in to the fight... "
Kaleb sighs and rolls his eyes. After a short pause, with a wry grin, he takes another swallow and continues:
"...Ok, now. So, we attacked... And at the same time the REAL Aspis bastards climbed to the other side of the warehouse - and we were not expecting them! And (can you imaging this!) they coming on us from both sides! From one side the merchant's guards put pressure on us (they thought that we are thiefs or something about), from another side these Aspis scum hit us in the rear! And here is our ambush has turned into a trap for ourselves. The fact that I am sitting in front of you - it's a miracle, I swear the Goddess! Once again mercifully Dark Hand of Her has saved me. In general, this is my worst story... one of many those that were in the last six months, from the time I became a Pathfinder, HAH! And what were yours, guys?"
Kaleb leans back in his chair, smiling and stroking his dark-red beard. His eyes carefully look to the others studying the reaction.
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Sitting across from Kaleb is a large Kellid woman dressed for much colder climes. Her forearms and shins are wrapped in dark gray fur, almost black and a matching cloak is slung on the back of her chair. Obviously half-elven with pronounced pointed ears, hair a dark red/brown. Slung across her shoulder is a mighty Earthbreaker, scarred and battered from use. She takes a large swig of her ale, ignoring the terrible taste. Large scars from a demon adorn her neck and her eyes seem wrong, a filled with a flicker of something else.
"A fine tale my new friend, I for one have not yet ventured forth on behalf of this society. Having just completed by basic training, Dreng saw fit to send me out with you. Mayhaps this adventure will bring the opportunity for a grand tale?"
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To new beginnings!
Big gulp.
My manners! My name is Kaleb Vesperra, from a family of hereditary soldiers of house Vesperra. I, however, have chosen another road, but I hope that my family name can still someone to say something in Absalom - at least in the circles of those who pay for hired swords.
Сrooked grin.
Or may be not. I don't care anymore...
Then, as if returning from his thoughts, Kaleb raises his cup again:
For glory and treasure! Let us to meet the dragon... but very sleepy and tired! Ha!
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Abinal spits his beer with eyes wide open and almost falls off the chair. His hat falls off his head, dangling only on a thread tied to his coat. His skin tanned, but with facial features of a man that is not from the desert. He looks at Cyrus
You what now?!
He then coughs a bit, and readjusts to gain some balance.
As far as I am aware we're all meeting this Dreng person. You know him? Or does anyone here, really?
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Lizbeth joins in the toast to new beginnings with a healthy gulp of her ale before signalling for another tankard from the haggard barkeep, the oddly tattooed woman speaks at the end of her drink her voice is rich and powerful.
"Yes! To new beginnings indeed! I am called Lizbeth among friends and feel free to count yourselves as such. I am Shoanti of the Skoan-Quah tribe."
Won't You introduce me? a deep baritone sounds inside of her skull and Lizbeth shakes her head viciously for a moment as if throwing off a bee that had landed in her hair.
You are in Absalom, the mighty City at the Center of the World,
Like all the great Pathfinders before you, you have just spent many hard weeks training at the Grand Lodge and based on the fables, outrageous tales, and 'fishing stories' bandied around about the Absaloms surrounds you’ve always longed to explore one of the countless ruins of failed conquerors that litter the plains outside the city’s walls to see if any of those legends were true.
You’ve all heard rumours that one of the sealed siege castles has been laid open by a minor earthquake. Word on the street is that no one has yet entered the tower, which folks are calling the “Fallen Fortress.” What better way to start a life of excitement and adventure than by exploring its long-abandoned, dusty halls and perhaps claiming its ancient treasures? Surely this is the reason you were called away to meet with Drandle Dreng.
After a long wait, and falling hopes, Dreng finally arrives.
"One of your fellow Pathfinders, Balenar Forsend, a young and aspiring bard decided to set out and build a legend around himself - wishing to be known for dash and derring-do. He too heard about the tower and decided to go and get first bragging rights for exploring it. Now you will be exploring it to find what remains of him. Questions?"
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When the man introducing himself as Dreng sits to the table, Anibal finishes his drink, and produces a journal and writing tools from his backpack. A bit disappointed about the length of the briefing, he makes a few notes, then adds.
So search and rescue if possible? That's it?
Is this agent of yours any competent, or should we expect to find a corpse?
He pauses for a brief moment, then continues talking.
How far is this "fortress" from our current location? Should we acquire food, water, and any other essentials for the jourey?
The man with the wide hat dips his pen into the ink flask, and - as he waits for Dreng's response - readies it to make further notes.
"Fairly accurate summation, he is reasonably competent, but clearly lacking common sense to undertake such a rash and foolhardy activity - we hope it is a rescue. The tower lies about ten miles out across the Siegelands"
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Also at the table is an unnerving figure who has thus far kept dead-silent, drinking deeply from a tall glass of...cold water with lemon zest and goat butter.
He is obviously not of Avistanti origin; he wears leather lamellar over sturdy and functional clothing, and he lovingly cradles a staff, impeccably-kept despite its plainness, in his arm. Tall and athletically-built, if rather lanky, his face is long and exotically beautiful, but also somehow off-putting. His long hair is as white and diaphanous as a ghost. One feels compelled to look away from his black-on-grey, cephalopod-like eyes, especially on those occasions he directs them at you, as you get the sense that he sees things that even *you* would not want to see of yourself.
"Any idea what dangers might await us there?"
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During Dreng's incredibly short briefing Lizbeth seemed to be staring off into space, finding it difficult to concentrate on the eccentric venture captains words. The cause of the distraction could only be heard by herself, it was the rich baritone of the man who shared her consciousness.
Introduce me to your comrades Elizia. We shall be fighting together, ahh if only I could taste ale again.
"Apologies honoured Venture-Captain, my mind was... Elsewhere. We shall of course rescue your agent, or at least what we can. Before we do however, friends I have someone you must meet. It will take but a moment."
With that the tattooed Shoanti closes her eyes and starts to murmur mysyical words in her native tongue.
"Unsure of what could be there..." he looks dismayed "The old siege castle has stood in the Cairnlands for hundreds if not thousands of years, magically sealed after the death of its forgotten master. But recently, a minor earthquake rocked the land, accomplishing in moments what dozens of scholars, sages, and adventurers could not achieve in years — the quake caused part of the siege castle to collapse, opening its interior for the first time in centuries. The locals are now calling this tower the 'Fallen Fortress'. Balenar has not sent any word back."
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A minute later, a great blue light seems to spill from Lizbeth's mind and stops in the centre of the tavern floor. The blue light begins to slowly take form into a human male, also of Shoanti origin. The large man has fur wrapped around his arms and legs, then encased in ancient plate mail covered in mystical wards. His once golden brown hair is tied back but has a slight radiance to it, making it appear almost blonde.
His tattoos stand out as they now glow with an inner sapphire light as he stands in the bar, he looks solid yet not all alive. He nods his head in greeting to the assembled group. His voice is deep and powerful.
"Well met Comrades! My name is Tarantio Shade-Raven, formally of the Shunsar-Quah. As you may undoubtedly see I am not all together."
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Kaleb sits silently and listens to the Drandle Dreng and his comrades. He is very attentive and observant, looking for any inconsistencies or concealment in this story.
His behavior does not change with the emergence of Tarantio, but in Kaleb's eyes appears a mischievous twinkle.
Cute entertainment! Well, traveling in undead's company - it's really something new for me! HA! Nice, nice... Oh, and once again, where is my manners? Name's Kaleb! Nice to meet you, Tarantio!
Then, as if he suddenly lost any interest in this, he returns his attention to the Dreng.
I think the guys said it all. You don't know what awaits us there, we don't know how to specifically prepare. As usual. By the way, question to all - do any of us master of traps? I can make stealthy exploration, staying unnoticed by potential enemies, but to remove the traps is not my specialty. Certainly the dungeon will be full of this ugliness. Usually it is so.
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Tarantio opens his mouth to complain at the Tiefling's remark, but Lizbeth cuts him off with a glare. She addresses the group on their questions.
"Some time ago, Tarantio's consciousness and mine seemed to bond, I am what you call a spiritualist among the society. Technically he is not undead, he is a Phantom, Master Zey described him as a being of the negative plane, het not a walking abomination."
She bows her head to the Venture-Captain and gives him a warm smile,
"Apologies if I derailed you, honoured Venture-Captain. Kaleb, I am a warrior in training, I use this Earthbreaker in preference and strike hard against the undead."
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The Ghost-like Shoanti Phantom hives a broad grin to the shock at his appearance, seeming to enjoy it like it was an elegant prank on his part. He holds out his hand for the others to shake, if they wish and speaks again.
"I don't truly understand it, but it is as Lizbeth says, I am her sworn guardian. I too am fond of a good brawl and thats where you shall mostly see me."
He gives an unamused glare towards Ekanta dor his outburst but says nothing of it.
The journey from the safety of Absalom is blessed by Densa, and you arrive to your destination without issue.
The ruined siege castle now being called the Fallen Fortress rises out of the churned earth of the Cairnlands. No doors or windows mar the otherwise smooth expanse of the tower’s walls.
The tower is quatrefoil in plan; its eastern wing has largely collapsed, exposing the interior floors to the open air. Only the topmost level seems whole, though its eastern portion hangs precariously over the mountain of rubble left by the collapse.
At ground level, the rubble frames a gaping hole in the side of the building that provides access to the tower’s darkened interior.
Watching the tower a while, you see a couple of large feral looking dogs picking around the base... despite you being patient and waiting, they show no inclination to moving.
Anibal
Cyrus
Ekanta
Ilsensine
Kaleb
Lizbeth +Tarantio
ENEMY
R1
Cyrus
Ilsensine
Ekanta
Anibal
Lizbeth+Tarantio
Kaleb
ENEMY
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Lizbeth spots the feral beasts in front of the tower and lets out a resigned sigh, obviously reluctant to kill these once proud beasts she knows she has no other choice. With a slight glance at Tarantio the two share a brief mental connection.
"Tarantio and I will go for the one on the far left" she shouts to her companions, chanting arcane words before placing her hands upon Tarantio's back, a brief glimmer of force seeming to cover him, before unslinging her large hammer.
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Tarantio grips Ekanta's hand with a hard warrior's grip, obviously a show of his manliness and gives him a nod. He feels oddly solid, yet not quite right almost too warm from the off light he resonates.
Feeling the spell from his master encompass his body, Tarantio gives a mighty yell, obviously not showing any reservation in attacking the feral digs blocking his path. He charges up the rubble of the great siege tower and just makes it to his foe, though seems unable to strike at him.
The spiritualist and her phantom begin posturing...
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Ilsensine seems unsure what to think about the phantom joining with the group. "Nature...is unusual at times," is all she manages.
When the group reaches the wild dogs, she says "Perhaps they are just hungry. This may not work, though. Nature is out of balance here."
She retrieves some rations from her pack and holds them out for the animals.
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Kaleb shakes the outstretched hand, looking straight into Tarantio eyes.
I like those who like a good brawl, and doubly so when they are on my side. Whoever they may be. At least it gives me the opportunity to do my part well.
...Yes and I get less bruises. It's also a plus.
What a wonderful beginning. The first move is yours guys! I'll cover you.
Cyrus tries pulling them away with bait.
Ilsensine finds they don't seem interested in her overtures.
Kaleb positions....
R1
Cyrus moves
Ilsensine empathy
Ekanta
Anibal
Lizbeth+Tarantio position
Kaleb position
ENEMY
The rearmost dog falls with an arrow hit!
The dogs take that as the sign to come charging in.
One immediately gets caught by Ekanta and swiftly dealt with.
The last engages Kaleb
Attack
...but fails to make any headway, snaring only his cloak.
R2
Cyrus
Ilsensine e
Ekanta
Anibal
Lizbeth+Tarantio
Kaleb
ENEMY
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Witnessing the mangy animal he was fighting fall to a well placed arrow, and narrowly avoiding the other shot, Tarantio turns to the archer.
"Nice Shot, just be careful!" He shouts in a playful manner, clearly enjoying himself.
Darting across the rubble towards the final dog, the Phantom warrior strikes out with a meaty fist.
for
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Seeing Tarantio rushing in to fight the remaining animal, and unable to make her way into the fray, Lizbeth moves across the rubble of the siege fortress to make her way next to Anibal. She chants for a second in Shoanti before laying her hand upon his bow wielding arm.
"May the last Azlanti guide your shot"
R2
Cyrus
Ilsensine attacks
Ekanta attacks
Anibal
Lizbeth+Tarantio - Attacks
Kaleb defensive
ENEMY
Ekanta swings for the fences, to no avail, whilst Tarantio lands a shot.
Ilsensine delivers a bruising blow to the dog.